Last week was truly a gift. The weather was August perfect, a reminder of why people come to Maine in the summer. The days were hot, but not too hot, and the nights were cool enough to need blankets for sleeping. Much of my time was spent on the patio, where I read, napped, took pictures, and ate. It was absolutely wonderful not to hurry through the day.
One night we had shrimp and Farmer Kev’s corn on the cob. Delicious!
Every evening we had drinks.
As we sipped our drinks and chatted, hummingbirds visited the last of the blooming bee balm. Soon those little lovelies will be gone, winging their way south to warmer weather.
Cardinals also came. But instead of bee balm nectar, they wanted to eat seeds at the brown feeder.
Truthfully, I could use another week off, but there is much work to do over the next few months. However, I am going to ease back slowly, first with blogging and then with other writing—my podcast and the final editing of my book Out of Time.
But all is not labor and toil at our home in the woods. This week we are having a Tri-State Virtual Film Festival where one night the whole family watches a movie and the next evening we get together—via Zoom—to discuss it.
We’ve already seen two movies, and I’ll be writing more about this on Friday as our Tri-State Virtual Film Festival is definitely making me happy.
Ah, late August in New England. Our first sighing of a hummingbird on our deck came yesterday. Enjoy!
Many thanks!
Not too hot during the day and needing a blanket at night is perfect as far as i’m concerned. I’m still under a sheet only and even that’s still a bit too much so I’m looking forward to the weather becoming a bit more clement. There are definitely signs of it.
I was thinking of you yesterday as I finished ‘Where The Crawdads Sing’ and remember you saying on Wild Daffodil’s post that you had read it. Just tell me briefly – are you in the ‘loved it to bits’ camp or not? Then I’ll tell you which one I’m in. 😉
I am just over half way and struggling, but I don’t really enjoy reading fiction anymore so it would have to be pretty spectacular to get me gripped. I’m also a bit of a wuss, so any kind of tension or hint of menace puts me off. My daughter enjoyed it and so did the friend who leant it to me. At the beginning I enjoyed the descriptive language. Now I am interested in finishing it to see what you two thought of it.
Let me know when you’ve finished, and I’ll give you my thoughts.
I think the “menace” part of it subsides, by the way. I am the same way – a wuss and proud of it. ❤
My issue is with a plot hole I cannot figure out.
For me, the whole second half was one big plot hole.
I want to hear about this subject. . . (Crawdads)
Sorry to say I am not in the “loved it to bits” camp.
I’m with you.
Somehow, I had that feeling. 😉
Glad the weather has been so perfect for a change! Like the idea of your family’s film watching.
Thanks, Susan! We are having a blast.
Your patio is such a lovely place to hang out. 🙂
Enjoy these late summer days, Laurie and Clif! Everything looks beautiful, and peaceful.
I am eagerly awaiting your latest book!
Oh, thanks!
Sounds divine. This is how late summer is meant to be enjoyed. Love your pic of the hummingbird sipping at the beebaum.
Yes ! That hummingbird photo was a great one!
Thanks, Jane! In Maine, late summer weather is usually the best. Bet it’s true for you, too.
Yup!
Enjoy!
Thanks, Rupali!
Shrimp and corn on the cob is a perfect meal!
It really is!
So happy that you had a great week – weather and everything! Loved that hummingbird photo – those are hard to get!
Thanks, Jodie! I got lucky with that hummingbird photo.
: )
How lovely and restful! Hope you enjoy the virtual film festival. It does work…kind of!
We are having so much fun with our film festival. We’ve seen and discussed two movies. Three more to go!
It sounds like you had a wonderful week doing all the things you wanted to do, and I know you will for sure enjoy your movie festival and family time. 🙂 Our weather definitely wasn’t that cool, but I’m glad you got to enjoy it. 🙂
Funny how the weather changes just a wee bit north. Yes, I had a wonderful week and a much-needed rest.
You got me at “cool enough to need blankets.” Add shrimp, corn on the cob, and a patio, and it sounds like perfection. I’m so glad you were able to have such a nice week — enjoy this one, and the next, and the next…!
Many, many thanks! Do stay safe during the upcoming storm.
Glad you had a good week off – so smart of you! I love the idea of your family’s own film festival – bonding and fun!
I sure needed that break. We are having a ton of fun with our family film festival.
That sounds like the perfect week to me.
Much needed. I was utterly exhausted.
Now that sounds like a really good way to spend a week! I’m sure everyone benefits from the occasional week of total relaxation. Also what a great idea to do your own film festival…..I look forward to your movie reviews for us.
By the way, I can buy “Twigs in My Hair” from my favourite Aussie online store, so will do that when we come back from visiting our daughter.
Sure made me smile when I read you are planning to buy “Twigs in My Hair. Yet another fine example of the wonderful world of blogging.
I am jealous! We have had a series of storms with high winds, torrential rain and chilly temperatures for August! It is grey and dreary and it’s getting me down! I think it is going to be a long winter here. Enjoy your summer while it lasts – winter is the time for writing!
In Maine, August is usually the best month of summer, and so it has been this year. In between writing and other chores, I get plenty of outside time. 😉
The flowers and birds are beautiful, Laurie. Enjoy the peaceful end of summer. 😀
Many thanks! A beautiful time in Maine.
I’m so pleased you had such a week
Thanks, Derrick. Very much needed.
What a lovely week. You’ve described late summer perfectly. And a Tri-State Virtual Film Festival? That’s an awesome idea. I look forward to reading more!
Stay tuned!
What a wonderful week and I’m so glad the weather cooperated so you could enjoy the patio and beautiful visitors!🙂 The virtual film festival sounds great and I’m looking forward to reading about the movies and virtual festival reviews.🙂
Thanks! The film festival started with a bang, and it’s continuing that way.
Such an idyllic place you have for a meal. Is that Yorkshire pudding I spot?
Thanks so much. No, it’s broiled pita left whole. Next time I will cut it in half.
Ah!
I haven’t broiled pita before (I have baked, and heated on an open griddle) – does it puff well?
Didn’t puff well at all. Last night, I split the pita, brushed the halves with olive oil, and broiled them. Much better! They came out deliciously crisp and went very well with our soup.
That’s the challenge with low carb breads, I think, they behave so differently from their white flour counterparts. It is good to know that there is a save!
Crisp pita (slathered with olive oil) with soup sounds wonderful!
I am so pleased you enjoyed your week away from everything at home! Those photos are lovely!
Many thanks, Clare.
Your week off sounds lovely. I wish you could take another too, but you’d probably start stressing over all that needs to be done. The family movie/zoom thing sounds fun! Love your photos. We are enjoying corn on the cob too. That season is too short, but that’s probably why we enjoy it so much.
You bet And I’m actually feeling pretty good as I ease back into work.
It sounds like a blissful and relaxing week Laurie, so glad you had the finest of weather to enjoy it too 🧡 xxx
It really was. Much needed.
What a happy post. So good to take time to just be. Watching the nature around you is a wonderful way to slow down and I thank you for sharing those lovely photos!
My pleasure, Betsy!
Hurray! I was not sure what I was seeing at first, but then the hummingbird leapt out at me. That corn on the cob looks delicious. It is never the same here as it is over there.
Those hummers! Interesting about the corn tasting better here than where you live. Why do you think this is?
It could be the varieties but also the freshness.
To taste really good, corn on the cob should be eaten the day it is picked. We have had some old blah corn in Maine.